The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Prospective randomized study of monopolar scissors, bipolar vessel sealer and ultrasonic shears in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. BJS 2008; 95: 1098-1104.

Published: 8th August 2008

Authors: M. Hubner, N. Demartines, S. Muller, D. Dindo, P.‐A. Clavien, D. Hahnloser et al.

Background

Many instruments are used for laparoscopic dissection, including monopolar electrosurgery scissors (MES), electrothermal bipolar vessel sealers (BVS) and ultrasonically coagulating shears (UCS). These three devices were compared with regard to dissection time, blood loss, safety and costs.

Method

Sixty‐one consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic left‐sided colectomy were randomized to MES, BVS or UCS. The primary endpoint was dissection time.

Results

Patient and operation characteristics did not differ between the groups. Median dissection time was significantly shorter with BVS (105 min) and UCS (90 min) than with MES (137 min) (P < 0·001). With BVS and UCS, significantly fewer additional clips were required (MES 9 versus BVS 0 versus UCS 3; P < 0·001) and there was a trend towards lower blood loss (125 versus 50 versus 50 ml respectively; P = 0·223) and a reduced volume of suction fluid (425 versus 80 versus 110 ml; P = 0·058). Overall satisfaction was similar for the three instruments. Dissection with BVS and UCS was significantly cheaper than with MES, assuming a centre volume of 200 cases per year (P = 0·009).

Conclusion

BVS and UCS shorten dissection time in laparoscopic left‐sided colectomy and are cost‐effective compared with MES. Registration number: NCT00517608 (http://www.clinicaltrials.com). Copyright © 2008 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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